222 FORAGE CROPS. 



fact that their value in providing forage has not 

 yet been determined. 



THE FLAT PEA. 



The flat pea (Lathyrus syhestris) is a 

 legume. It is perennial in its habit of growth. In 

 appearance it bears no little resemblance to the "grass 

 pea," which has been grown for'many years in some 

 sections of the United States and Canada. The 

 seed is tardy in germinating. The plants grow 

 slowly for a time. The first year the growth varies 

 from six to twenty-four inches, according to the 

 nature of the soil, climate and season. The next 

 year and subsequently they should furnish from one 

 to two or three cuttings, according to the conditions. 

 Complaints have been made that the plant is a shy 

 bearer of seed. 



The flat pea is certainly a hardy plant. When 

 once established it will endure much drouth. At 

 the Ontario experiment station at Guelph, it with- 

 stood the cold of winter without apparent injury. 

 It has also lived through several winters in the state 

 of Michigan. At the University experiment station 

 of Minnesota, however, it has in some instances suc- 

 cumbed the first winter when planted in exposed 

 situations. As to its duration, claims have been 

 made for it that sound extravagant. It has been 

 affirmed that the plants will live indefinitely, or at 

 least from fifty to sixty years. At the Michigan 

 experiment station, 41,185 pounds of green food per 

 acre were obtained from two cuttings in one year. 

 But it was found that the stock consumed the food 

 with reluctance, whether fed in the green or the dry 



